In the sixth episode of the first season of Agent Carter, THIS GENUINELY SURPRISED ME. Intrigued? Then it’s time for Mark to watch Agent Carter.
Trigger Warning: For talk of consent and gaslighting.
Well, if you hadn’t figured it out prior to this, consider me a fan. This isn’t a turning point for Agent Carter so much as one massive, gigantic, and unnerving leap into the unknown for the show, and I am utterly impressed with the pacing and the thrills that “A Sin to Err” has given us. And with that ending…good god, y’all, I simply cannot believe this show is real. There’s no doubt that of the Marvel projects I’ve watched, this one has the best writing and the best serialized story. I imagine that the 8-episode run is part of the reason for that; you don’t have the bloat and aimlessness of the first season of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., for example. There’s no time to waste here.
So let’s get to it. I NEED TO WATCH THE NEXT EPISODE.
Jarvis Investigations
In the hands of other writers, I imagine that Peggy’s scenes with Jarvis, trying to track down a Leviathan spy, would have played much differently. How many books have we read or shows have we watched that portray a man’s callous conquest with women as an admirable quality? Instead, Peggy is disgusted with the way that Howard Stark collects women like playthings, and Jarvis is the stand-in for him. Which…sucks for him, yes. But there’s a clear message in this, and it’s great that the show doesn’t include this behavior without some way to criticize it within the universe.
Also, Jarvis is really bad at being secretive. He didn’t even have to say anything in that hallway! Why are you talking to that kid??? JUST DON’T TALK AND STAND THERE IN AN INTIMIDATING MANNER. Well…okay, granted, I don’t see Jarvis as being very intimidating. Like…ever. So nevermind, he was going to do this regardless.
Dr. Ivchenko
I should have realized that this was too clear cut. It was too easy. And this man came along with Peggy with too much willingness. BUT I DIDN’T KNOW. AND HOLY SHIT, HE’S SO INCREDIBLY CREEPY. Bless this show for taking someone we felt sorry for and transforming him into a such a horror. Oh my god, that thing he does with his ring to hypnotize people, to control them, to manipulate their perception of reality…it’s unreal. It’s scary. And after what he did to Yauch, I’m worried that he may get away scot free. Who even suspects him of being a double agent? Granted, a lot happens in this episode, so no one even references the fact that Yauch is dead, so I wonder if this is being saved for the next episode.
Dottie
Okay, I’ll echo what my boyfriend said during the video for “A Sin to Err”: WELL, I GUESS DOTTIE CAN’T CONTINUE ON THIS SHOW. Oh god, wouldn’t it be awesome if she and Peggy became friends and allies? But how the fuck can that even happen at this point? She’s so completely brainwashed as a Leviathan agent that I don’t see any hope for her. Seriously, in this episode alone, she uses a goddamn sniper rifle to communicate with Dr. Ivchenko, then uses Peggy’s stolen lipstick in an attempt to kill her. (I can’t believe I wanted Peggy to kiss Angie and then, just minutes later, DOTTIE KISSES ANGIE but it’s not how I wanted it. 🙁 )
Things I wasn’t ready for: seeing Dottie’s stone-cold stare as Peggy was carted away.
Sousa
I JUST DIDN’T THINK THAT PEGGY WOULD BE CONFRONTED WITH SOUSA’S EVIDENCE SO SOON. I STILL CAN’T DEAL WITH IT AND I’M HEARTBROKEN OVER SOUSA’S HEARTBREAK, AND NOW EVERYONE KNOWS THAT PEGGY CAN DESTROY ALL OF THEM IN A COUPLE OF SECONDS AND I GENUINELY DON’T KNOW HOW THIS WILL BE RESOLVED. I don’t! And that’s exciting to me, and I think it’s a sign of how well-written this is. How can Peggy possibly explain her allegiance to Howard Stark without implicating herself in the eyes of Sousa and Thompson? Nevermind Dooley at this point, since he’s pretty much a lost cause. The man’s ego is in the way, and I don’t even know how she’ll deal with that. I could see Peggy winning over Sousa, but only in another context, and certainly not in this context. She sits across from the man who admired her, after she betrayed him multiple times, and I don’t imagine he’s going to be very open to what she has to say.
Obviously, it’s frustrating because we know that Peggy is doing what’s best in this situation. But she’s kept this massive secret from her colleagues, most of whom are biased against her from the get-go. So she has to do more than just explain her side; she’s got to also get past the virulent misogyny of these men.
Angie
I’M JUST SO HAPPY SHE IS ON THIS SHOW AND I WANT NOTHING BUT GOOD THINGS TO HAPPEN TO HER AND WHEN IS SHE GONNA GET HER BIG BREAK AND FRIENDSHIP, Y’ALL. Oh my god, she is the best.
I’m not ready for the next episode. MY WHOLE BODY IS NOT READY.
The video for “A Sin to Err” can be downloaded here for $0.99.
Mark Links Stuff
– I am now on Patreon!!! MANY SURPRISES ARE IN STORE FOR YOU IF YOU SUPPORT ME.
– IÂ will be at numerous conventions in 2016! Check the full list of events on my Tour Dates / Appearances page.
– My Master Schedule is updated for the near and distant future for most projects, so please check it often. My next Double Features for Mark Watches will be season 1 of Agent Carter, seasons 1 & 2 of The 100, Death Note, and Neon Genesis Evangelion. On Mark Reads, Diane Duane’s Young Wizards series will replace the Emelan books.
- Mark Does Stuff is on Facebook! I’ve got a community page up that I’m running. Guaranteed shenanigans!
